Skip to main content
Advertising

Williams showing more poise, progress

160609_williams_inside.jpg

CHARLOTTE – It was offensive tackle Daryl Williams' turn to answer the question posed to every second-year player: How different does it feel this time around?

"It feels a lot easier compared to last year," said Williams, a former fourth-round pick from Oklahoma. "Last year I didn't really know that much – just a rookie running around with my head cut off. But I know everything better, so it just feels way easier."

"I don't necessarily feel like a veteran," he added, "I just try to practice like one."

Williams' rookie season started with an unfortunate injury in the season opener. He suffered a sprained knee against the Jaguars while blocking on the field goal unit and missed the next five games.

Once he returned, Williams became a contributor as the extra lineman in the "jumbo" package. All told, he played in 10 games and all three postseason contests.

"Overall, I think I did well other than getting hurt in the first half (of the season)," Williams said. "Wish that wouldn't have happened. But other than that, I think I did pretty good."

All five of Carolina's starting offensive linemen from 2015 are back for 2016. It's a group that developed cohesiveness that served them well, but Williams will continue to push those ahead of him.

"Come out here and practice all out; compete and do my job," Williams said of his approach. "Let everything else take care of itself."

Said Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner: "I definitely expect (Daryl) to come out and compete. It doesn't matter, anybody out here is going to compete like they're a starter. He's a big, strong guy. As long as he keeps using that to his advantage, he'll be good to go."

View photos from the third week of Carolina's organized team activities.

Related Content

Advertising